Delcohoops.com

By Bob Grotz

After a gut-wrenching one-point loss to Chester in the District 1 final, Jackson Hicke promised himself that Radnor’s PIAA Class 5A state opener Tuesday against Susquehannock would be different.

Hicke scored all 17 of the Raptors’ points in the first quarter, had 23 at the half and finished with a career-high 38 to power his team to a 75-56 romp over the Warriors.

The 6-4 junior could have had 50 points had he not gotten the ball to teammates so selflessly, although point totals obviously weren’t the primary mission on this unforgettable evening.

“The Chester loss stung hard,” Hicke said. “I didn’t want that to happen again. I kind of came out a little soft in the first half against Chester. We all came out aggressive tonight. We didn’t want to go home at this point. My teammates got me the ball in great spots, and I hit a couple shots. It really got us going and then everybody started chipping in.”

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By Matthew DeGeorge

The first couple of times, PJ Esposito could hear the command but didn’t execute.

Situated as far away from the Marple Newtown bench as he could be, the sophomore nestled in the far corner at Pottsville’s Martz Hall, twice passing up looks when Marple’s offense swung the ball his way.

The third time, as the calls from the bench crescendoed, he obeyed.

And when his 3-pointer splashed home, the complexion of the game changed.

Esposito’s 3-pointer keyed a second-quarter awakening, as the Tigers shook off a sleepy start to roar past District 11 champ Pottsville, 53-43, for the program’s first states victory. Marple Newtown (17-10), the fifth seed out of District 1 in the Class 5A tournament, advances to the Round of 16 Friday against District 12 third-place team Mastery Charter North.

Chalk up another bit of history for the Tigers, who qualified for states for just the second time, the only other time coming in 1995. The reason was a pair of players more in the future of the program than the past.

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By Jack McCaffery

Every time he watches Kevin Rucker play, Keith Taylor sees a little of everything.

He sees a long, developing sophomore able to handle on the perimeter, shoot and maneuver inside. He sees a player capable of making the difference in a run to the PIAA basketball championship. He sees talent, even it is a little raw.

“He reminds me of Kevin Durant, just with the way he plays,” said Taylor, the Chester High coach. “He just has to be a little smarter and a little stronger with the basketball.”

So it was Tuesday when Rucker battled for 17 points to push the Clippers to a 61-52 victory over Exeter in the opening round of the PIAA Class 5A tournament. Not only does Taylor see every side of Rucker, but, like everyone else in a nearly full Fred Pickett Jr. Gymnasium, he saw it in two ways.

By Jason Guarente

It was over for Harold Ivery. The senior turned in his No. 25 jersey and turned his attention to baseball. For two weeks he focused on regaining muscle and refining his left-handed pitches.

Archbishop Carroll’s 6-foot-6 forward knew he was going to miss basketball. It was sad to think he played his last organized game.

Then, suddenly, it wasn’t over.

Martin Luther King backed out of the PIAA Tournament and Carroll was given the fifth spot out of District 12. The Patriots were thrown into the Class 4A field. They had another chance. 

“When I got the call that we were back, I was confused,” Ivery said. “I went and got my jersey and came back home. I had basketball in the morning and then I had to go to baseball practice. It’s hectic. It’s crazy.”

Things are going to stay that way for a bit longer. Carroll knocked off Berks Catholic 68-61 in the first round Tuesday night. 

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By Matt Smith

Garnet Valley’s season was coming to an end in the first round of the PIAA Class 6A tournament. Rather than hang their heads, the Jaguars found reason to celebrate with 37 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

They ran a special play involving co-captain and senior center Katelyn Dugery shooting from long distance, which is not her forte. She received a pass in front of the Jags’ bench, right around the elbow, and let it go. Swish city. Her first career 3-point basket.

Dugery couldn’t contain her happiness. Neither could her teammates.

“I guess you can say I’m the best shooter in the league because I’m 1-for-1,” Dugery said with a wry smile. “Nobody’s going to beat that.”

As for that other victory, District 11’s Northampton shot lights out from the floor and handed Garnet Valley a 56-43 defeat. The Jags finished the season with a 20-11 record and a Central League title.

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By Matthew DeGeorge

Back and forth Cardinal O’Hara and Wilson Area went Tuesday night.

When the rollercoaster ended, O’Hara had the first states win in program history.

Pearse McGuinn scored 13 of his 21 points in the first half as O’Hara won a wild one, 54-45, at the home gym of the District 11 runner-up.

Wilson led 14-7 after one quarter. But McGuinn put the Lions up by one at halftime. The lead stretched near double-figures before Wilson cut it to 39-38 with 3:40 left. But the Lions got the job done at the line to preserve the victory.

For O’Hara (14-10), the third seed out of District 12, it’s the first states win in program history. They did it without leading scorer Izaiah Pasha, who is ineligible for states after a transfer from Central Dauphin East.

No matter, since McGuinn stepped up big, including an 8-for-13 performance from the line. The Lions were 18-for-24 from the line to seal the win.

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